The Republic of Ireland international got some valuable game time under his belt as he played 45 minutes at Moor Farm as the under-23s took on West Ham United.

But he was not operating in his usual centre-back position - instead popping up in a more advanced role, in front of a back three, in this case made up of Joe Bateman, Ethan Wassall and under-18 prospect Lee Buchanan.

George Thorne and Jame Hanson were ahead of Keogh, with Jayden Bogle and on-trial Arsenal winger Aaron Eyoma out wide.

Luke Thomas played in the "Matej Vydra" number 10 role, just off front man Cameron Cresswell.

Keogh was replaced at half-time by Alex Babos, with his work for the day apparently done.

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Boro replaced Derby in the Championship play-off zone at the weekend, following their 2-1 home win over fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City.

The Teesside outfit are now fifth, one point ahead of seventh-placed Derby.

They also now have a better goal difference, by one, though the Rams do have a game in hand.

So while Rowett's men have four matches left to play, Boro have only three.

It terms of Derby's season, games don't come much bigger - and they will be desperate to rediscover that winning formula after successive losses.

Jayden Bogle's second-half strike earned the under-23s a crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham, which lifted them out of the Premier League Division Two relegation zone with one match of the season remaining.

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